The call that US President Donald Trump predicted didn’t happen, but he left little doubt about what would come next.
On Thursday morning, Trump said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would speak to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. It would have been the first direct contact in decades between the leaders of the two neighboring countries, which have no diplomatic relations. Trump declared that it would provide for “a little breathing room.”
But against the backdrop of a hot war between Israel and Iranian proxy Hezbollah, Aoun declined the call.
Trump wasn’t waiting for a conversation to happen.
Just hours later, Trump announced that a ceasefire would begin at midnight. And Netanyahu had little choice but to go along. It is the latest example of a pattern whereby Trump’s declarations box in perhaps his most vocal international supporter, compelling Netanyahu to make critical strategic decisions based on what the US president will allow. Netanyahu routinely hails the close coordination between the US and Israel – between himself and Trump – but at key moments, Trump has forced his Netanyahu’s hand.
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